News : VS Hall of Fame welcomes six new members

Scott Sutton

Grant Bearbower

Steve Hummel's parents, Kyle & Shirley, accepted his Hall of Fame honor from Ken Huelman.

(Mike) Shelley Lutz

(Maribelle) Dianne Hesson, Rex Shephard

John Gordon's nephews accepted his VS Hall of Fame award for him.

The Vinton-Shellsburg High School Hall of Fame welcomed six new members. who were officially inducted Friday during the traditional Homecoming game halftime.

Below is the information about each of the six, as read during the ceremony on Friday:

JOHN GORDON

Our first Inductee is 1930 graduate, John Gordon. John began his varsity career as an 8th grader in football, basketball and track. He was a member of the basketball team that won the County and Sectional tournaments in 1927, 1928 & 1930. In 1927 they also won the District tournament then went on to beat Oskaloosa 20-14 to take third place in the State tournament. According to the 1930 Vinton Arrow Yearbook, “John was undoubtedly the star player this year. He pulled the team out of many a tough place by his speed and fight on the floor at all times.”

Accepting the award on John’s behalf are his nephews, Kris Gulick, Rick Gordon and Ted Kunz. Presenting this award tonight is Hall of Fame Committee member, Dave Vermedahl.

STEVE RUNYAN

Our next inductee is Steve Runyan, a 1971 Vinton graduate. During his Viking football career, Mr. Runyan was twice named 1st Team All-conference, and was also named to the Iowa Daily Press Association Honor Roll and All-state Honorable Mention teams. In 1970, Steve was the team’s Most Outstanding player and broke the school record for tackles with 103. Steve was also a member of the Vinton Basketball team which was WaMaC champions three consecutive years and District champions in 1970. On January 20, 1970, this team was the first Vinton basketball team to score 100 points, beating Independence 100-62.

After graduation Mr. Runyan went on to play football at Marshalltown Community College, where he received All-conference Honorable Mention recognition

Steve and his wife, Jama, have three daughters. They reside north of Vinton where Steve maintains his family’s successful farming operation. Presenting the award is Don Weideman, Hall of Fame Committee Member and former team mate.

DIANE HESSON

Next we have Diane Hesson, a 1973 Vinton graduate. Ms. Hesson was a member of Vinton’s first girls’ basketball team in 1971. She scored 1,410 career points and set 13 individual school records. She still holds the six-girl school records for Career Average Points Per Game, 21.7, and Career Field Goal Percentage of 53%. In track, Diane set school records in the Softball Throw and Discus and remains the school’s #2 all-time softball thrower.

Diane has kept very active volunteering both in the community and within the school district. She was the first Vinton Middle School volleyball coach and served in that role for several years. She now officiates middle school volleyball. Diane has also been the official score keeper for girls basketball for 24 years and boys basketball for 19 years.

Escorting Ms. Hesson tonight is her mother, Maribelle Hesson. Her award is being presented by Harold Shepherd, Hall of Fame Committee member and former girls basketball coach.

Shelley Holmes Lutz

Our next inductee is Shelley Holmes Lutz, a 1975 Shellsburg graduate. Shelley was a Shellsburg Warriorette in basketball, track and softball.

On the basketball court, she was Shellsburg’s all-time leading scorer and the Benton Conference leading scorer for three consecutive years. In 1975 the Shellsburg Warriorettes were the Benton Conference champions, and Shelley was named to the All-tournament team.

In track, Shelley was a State qualifier in the softball throw. She was also named to the All-state Honorable Mention softball team. Shelley went on to play basketball and softball at Coe College.

Shelley and her husband, Mike, have two sons and farm northwest of Vinton. This award is being presented by Lana Radeke, Hall of Fame Committee member.

STEVE HUMMEL

Next we have Steve Hummel, a 1982 Vinton graduate. Steve was a 9-time varsity letter winner, participating in football, wrestling and track. He was Viking of the Year in 1982.

Steve was two-time WaMaC High Jump Champion, two-time District High Jump Champion and a Drake Relays qualifier. He was a High Jump State qualifier in 1981 and 1982, finishing 5th both years.

Steve was also a WaMaC champion in wrestling at 155#. In 1982 he led his team with the most pins, 14.

Steve is currently working in Hanoi and was unable to join us this evening. Accepting the award on his behalf are his parents, Kyle and Shirley Hummel. Presenting the award is Ken Huelman, Hall of Fame Committee member and former track coach.

GRANT BEARBOWER

Our next inductee is Grant Bearbower, 1991 Vinton-Shellsburg graduate. Grant was a varsity letter winner in football, basketball and baseball.

Grant received 2nd Team All-conference recognition in basketball in 1991. He was also a two-time All-conference selection in football.

Grant went on to play football at Wartburg College, where he played on two National Playoff teams. He received 2nd Team All-American honors in 1995. He led his team with 79 unassisted and 95 assisted career tackles, with 24 sacks, earning him Defensive MVP honors. Grant was inducted into the Wartburg Knight’s Hall of Fame in 2009.

Mr. Bearbower is being escorted tonight by his wife, Lori, and their children, Natalie, Braden & Brody. Presenting his award is Hall of Fame Committee member Mindy McClintock.

SCOTT SUTTON

Our final Hall of Fame Inductee tonight is Scott Sutton, a 2000 Vinton-Shellsburg graduate. As a Viking, Scott lettered in football, basketball, track and baseball. He was named Viking of the Year in 2000.

Scott was twice named to the 1st Team All-district football team and was team captain in 1999. He received All-conference Honorable Mention honors in basketball and was twice named to the 1st Team All-conference baseball team. In 2000, Scott was named to the 1st Team All-district baseball team and his team went on to be the 3A State Tournament semi-finalists.

Scott went on to play football at Coe College, where his team was an NCAA D-III Playoff Qualifier.

Scott is being escorted by his wife, Rachel, and their daughters Kylie and Rhylan. In honor of their deceased son Royce, Scott and Rachel recently started an Annual Golf Tournament to Benefit SIDS Research at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Their first Rounds for Royce Tournament raised $8,000. Thank you for supporting this cause!

Scott’s award is being presented tonight by Jim Struve, Vinton-Shellsburg Activities Director and Baseball Coach.